Thermal cracking of impurities in triglyceride feedstock

Abstract

A triglyceride or a triglyceride/hydrocarbon combination can be thermally cracked to remove its impurities in situ prior to be upgraded to fuel range hydrocarbon. This process allows the use of a variety of low cost feedstock and reduce reactor fouling tendency. The process also reduces the use of chemicals required for conventional clean up processes such as degumming.

1 . A process comprising thermal cracking a triglyceride feedstock in a thermal cracking zone wherein the temperature in said thermal cracking zone is in the range of from about 100° C. to about 540° C. 
     
     
         2 . The process in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said temperature in said thermal cracking zone is in the range of from about 200° C. to about 400° C. 
     
     
         3 . The process in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said triglyceride feedstock is selected from the group consisting of vegetable oil, soybean oil, yellow grease, animal fats and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The process in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said triglyceride feedstock further comprises element selected from the group consisting of phospho-lipids, proteins, gums, metal containing compounds and any combinations thereof, where in said metal containing compounds is selected from alkali metals, alkaline earth metals, and any combinations thereof. 
     
     
         5 . A process comprising:
 a) thermally cracking a triglyceride feedstock in a thermal cracking zone wherein the temperature in said thermal cracking is in the range of from about 100° C. to about 540° C. to form a thermally cracked feed; and   b) contacting said thermally cracked feed with a hydrotreating catalyst in a reaction zone under a condition sufficient to produce a reaction product containing diesel boiling range hydrocarbons, wherein the condition includes a pressure of less than about 2000 psig and a temperature in the range of from about 260° C. to about 430° C.   
     
     
         6 . The process in accordance with  claim 5 , wherein said triglyceride feedstock is selected from the group consisting of vegetable oil, soybean oil, yellow grease, animal fats and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         7 . The process in accordance with  claim 5  wherein said temperature in said thermal cracking zone in step (a) is in the range of from about 200° C. to about 400° C. 
     
     
         8 . The process in accordance with  claim 5  wherein said triglyceride feedstock further comprises element selected from the group consisting of phospho-lipids, proteins, gums, metal containing compounds and any combinations thereof, where in said metal containing compounds is selected from alkali metals, alkaline earth metals, and any combinations thereof. 
     
     
         9 . The process of  claim 5 , wherein said hydrotreating catalyst comprises nickel and molybdenum. 
     
     
         10 . The process of  claim 5 , wherein said hydrotreating catalyst comprises cobalt and molybdenum. 
     
     
         11 . A process comprising passing a feed mixture comprising a hydrocarbon boiling in the temperature range of from about 25° C. to about 760° C. and a triglycerides feedstock through a thermal cracking zone, wherein the temperature in said thermal cracking zone is in the range of from about 100° C. to about 540° C. 
     
     
         12 . The process in accordance with  claim 11  wherein said triglyceride feedstock is present in said feed mixture in an amount in the range of from about 2 to about 80 weight percent based on the total weight of said feed. 
     
     
         13 . The process in accordance with  claim 11  wherein said triglyceride feedstock is present in said feed mixture in an amount of 100 weight percent. 
     
     
         14 . The process in accordance with  claim 11 , wherein said triglyceride feedstock is selected from the group consisting of vegetable oil, soybean oil, yellow grease, animal fats and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         15 . The process in accordance with  claim 11  wherein said temperature in said thermal cracking zone is in the range of from about 200° C. to about 400° C. 
     
     
         16 . The process in accordance with  claim 11  wherein said triglyceride feedstock further comprises element selected from the group consisting of phospho-lipids, proteins, gums, metal containing compounds and any combinations thereof, where in said metal containing compounds is selected from alkali metals, alkaline earth metals, and any combinations thereof. 
     
     
         17 . A process comprising:
 a) passing a feed mixture comprising a hydrocarbon boiling in the temperature range of from about 25° C. to about 760° C. and a triglyceride feedstock through a thermal cracking zone, wherein the temperature in said thermal cracking zone is in the range of from about 100° C. to about 540° C. to form a thermally cracked feed; and   b) contacting said thermally cracked feed with a hydrotreating catalyst in a reaction zone under a condition sufficient to produce a reaction product containing diesel boiling range hydrocarbons, wherein the condition includes a pressure of less than about 2000 psig and a temperature in the range of from about 260° C. to about 430° C.   
     
     
         18 . The process in accordance with  claim 17  wherein said triglyceride feedstock is present in said feed mixture in an amount in the range of from about 2 to about 80 weight percent based on the total weight of said feed. 
     
     
         19 . The process in accordance with  claim 17  wherein said triglyceride feedstock is present in said feed in an amount of 100 weight percent. 
     
     
         20 . The process in accordance with  claim 17 , wherein said triglyceride feedstock is selected from the group consisting of vegetable oil, soybean oil, yellow grease, animal fats and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         21 . The process in accordance with  claim 17  wherein said temperature in said thermal cracking zone in step (a) is in the range of from about 200° C. to about 400° C. 
     
     
         22 . The process in accordance with  claim 17  wherein said triglyceride feedstock further comprises element selected from the group consisting of phospho-lipids, proteins, gums, metal containing compounds and any combinations thereof, where in said metal containing compounds is selected from alkali metals, alkaline earth metals, and any combinations thereof. 
     
     
         23 . The process of  claim 17 , wherein said hydrocarbon is selected from the group consisting of gasoline, naphtha, jet fuel, kerosene, diesel fuel, light cycle oil, vacuum gas oil, atmospheric gas oil, atmospheric tower bottom, and combinations of any two or more thereof. 
     
     
         24 . The process of  claim 17 , wherein said hydrotreating catalyst comprises nickel and molybdenum. 
     
     
         25 . The process of  claim 17 , wherein said hydrotreating catalyst comprises cobalt and molybdenum.